Gena Rowlands, the Golden Globe-winning actress known for her poignant portrayal of an elderly woman with dementia in the classic film 'The Notebook,' has been battling Alzheimer's disease in real life for the past five years. Her son, Nick Cassavetes, the film's director, shared his mother's diagnosis and revealed the haunting connection between her fictional and personal experiences.
In a poignant twist of fate, Gena Rowlands, the acclaimed actress who portrayed an older version of Rachel McAdam's character, Allie, in the beloved 2004 film 'The Notebook,' has been living with Alzheimer's disease for the past five years. The revelation comes as the film celebrates its 20th anniversary, bringing into sharp focus the intertwined realities of art and life.
Nick Cassavetes, the director of 'The Notebook' and Rowlands' son, shared his mother's diagnosis with Entertainment Weekly, describing the full circle moment it represents. "I got my mom to play older Allie, and we spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer's and wanting to be authentic with it, and now, for the last five years, she's had Alzheimer's," Cassavetes said. "She's in full dementia. And it's so crazy — we lived it, she acted it, and now it's on us."
Gena Rowlands: Battling Alzheimer's in Real Life After Portraying Character with Dementia in 'The Notebook'
Rowlands' portrayal of Allie, a woman grappling with the devastating effects of dementia, was both deeply moving and deeply personal. In 2004, she explained to O magazine why playing Allie was "particularly hard." "This last one — ‘The Notebook,’ based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks — was particularly hard because I play a character who has Alzheimer's," she said. "I went through that with my mother, and if Nick hadn't directed the film, I don't think I would have gone for it — it's just too hard. It was a tough but wonderful movie."
The connection between Rowlands' on-screen and off-screen experiences adds a poignant layer to her performance in 'The Notebook.' Her understanding of the disease, gained through firsthand experience with her mother, brought a raw authenticity to the role.
Gena Rowlands: Battling Alzheimer's in Real Life After Portraying Character with Dementia in 'The Notebook'
According to the Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior, and social skills. These changes affect a person's ability to function.
Cassavetes recalled a particularly poignant moment during filming. Studio executives had requested that Rowlands shed more tears when her character finally recognizes her longtime love, Noah (James Garner). Rowlands took the notes to heart, and in a moment of profound emotion, tears streamed down her face when she saw Garner.
Gena Rowlands: Battling Alzheimer's in Real Life After Portraying Character with Dementia in 'The Notebook'
"She said, 'Let me get this straight. We're reshooting because of my performance?'" Cassavetes recalled. "We go to reshoots, and now it's one of those things where mama's pissed, and I had asked her, 'Can you do it, Mom?' She goes, 'I can do anything.'"
The revelation of Rowlands' Alzheimer's diagnosis has sparked a deeper appreciation for her performance in 'The Notebook.' It serves as a reminder of the blurring lines between art and life, and the enduring power of cinema to both reflect and shape our experiences.
In the wake of her diagnosis, Rowlands has become an advocate for Alzheimer's awareness and research. She has partnered with organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association and the Lewy Body Dementia Association to help raise funds and support families affected by these diseases.
Rowlands' journey with Alzheimer's, both on and off the screen, is a testament to her indomitable spirit and unwavering determination. Her portrayal of Allie in 'The Notebook' will forever stand as a poignant reminder of the devastating toll dementia can take, while also highlighting the resilience and love that can emerge in the face of adversity.
